Editorial Introduction to the Special Issue on Polycrisis and Systemic Risks

In this article, the authors introduce a special issue of the International Journal of Disaster Risk Science dedicated to the study of polycrisis and systemic risk. Set against the backdrop of increasingly interconnected global disruptions, the issue critiques conventional, linear models of risk and advocates for integrative, inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to analysis, governance, and communication. Originating from the 2024 International Symposium on Systemic Risk and Polycrisis Governance, the contributions address cascading risks, ethical trade-offs, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. Through conceptual reviews, case studies, and policy-oriented insights, the issue advances systemic thinking and offers innovative tools for navigating complex, multidimensional challenges in an era of global fragility.